Enhancing Life for Older Adults and across the life span
Promoting age-friendly policies for healthier communities.
Enhancing Life for Older Adults and across the life span
Promoting age-friendly policies for healthier communities.
The impact of age-friendly policy on New York State
What is Age-Friendly?
In 2018, the Governor of New York signed Executive Order-190 (EO-190) which focuses on the implementation of Age-Friendly principles and health across all policies through State Agencies and Departments. EO-190 aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults by promoting age-friendly policy, programming and frameworks. By recognizing the growing population of older adults and their contributions to society, this order emphasizes the need for supportive communities which enable them to remain independently in their homes and communities as active participants. Serving as the basis for age-friendly policy and programming in New York State, EO-190 is responsible for driving change in creation of inclusive initiatives and communities for the older adult population.
Demographics
The aging population 60 plus continues to be the fastest growing segment of the population, resulting in the increased need for age-friendly policies. Similar to the rest of the United States, the population in New York State’s 62 counties is growing older. In 2025, the population of individuals age 60 and over was projected to account for 25% of all people in 33 counties and 30% of people in 18 counties (NYSOFA, 2021). Approximately 82% of New York State’s counties will see a significant portion of their populations aged 60 plus by the end of this year.
New York State Office for the Aging. (2021). Annual Report 2021. https://aging.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/07/2021-annual-report.pdf
Purpose
This dissertation project is being conducted by Trista Bercarich through West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
The study aims to understand the impact of age-friendly policy, specifically examining how Executive Order 190 (EO-190) has influenced strategies, programs, and frameworks that shape community development efforts to support residents across the lifespan as they age.
By exploring the impact of age-friendly policy in New York State, this research seeks to provide valuable insights into how public policy can drive systemic change to enhance the quality of life for older adults. The findings on the effectiveness of EO-190 will help inform future policy decisions and may serve as a model for other states to create more inclusive, age-friendly communities.
Survey
Please click on the link below to enter the adapted version of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Age-Friendly Community Survey: English (AARP, 2023). This survey instrument was originally created by AARP and AARP Livable Communities and indicates that it can be adapted based on community need.
SURVEY LINK:
https://wcupa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cBjaAs3F3z9Xt5Q
This study has been reviewed by the West Chester University Institutional Review Board, protocol IRB-FY25-335.
AARP. (2023). Age-Friendly Community Survey: English. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/livable-communities/age-friendly-network/2023/community-survey/Age-Friendly%20Community%20Survey-English-AARP-202310.pdf
Contact Us
If you have questions about our research or are interested in partnering with us, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at: TB1005945@wcupa.edu